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NEW RI DIRECTOR
| 36 | ISSUE 606 JUNE 2018
D
uring the ’60s,
Raffy studied
Computer
Science at
Washington
State
University – back when punch cards
and massive, room-sized systems
churned 60KB (about the size of the
average Word file). The first Filipino
graduate in the field, he earned the
moniker “Mr Computer”, which has
stuck with him to this day.
Raffy quickly began accruing an
impressive array of successes in the
tech industry, working for major
companies including Asia Computer
Services and Meralco Securities
Investment Corporation – the
holding company of power utility
giant Manila Electric. He went on
to found and oversee a multitude
of computer corporations for large
businesses, such as conglomerate
Herdis Group, one of which he later
purchased for himself.
This became the foundation for
what has become the Mega Group
of Companies – a multinational
composed of 44 offices in the
United States, Argentina, China,
India, Ireland and Equatorial Guinea,
specialising in technology products,
systems and solutions. Among many
professional honours, Raffy was
recognised by PeopleAsia magazine
as one of its People of the Year for
work improving the efficiency of
critical government IT systems.
Raffy joined the Rotary Club of
Pasig in 1971, aged 26. However, he
only accepted election as president
some 35 years later. Raffy candidly
admits before this point he was not
a model Rotarian.
“I have often said that although
I joined the Rotary Club of Pasig
40 years ago, I only became a real
Rotarian when I became president of
my club in 2006-07. I used to make
sure I would not have to serve as a
club officer. Until one day, during
one of my frequent absences, I was
voted in as president of my club and
there was no backing out any more.”
For his efforts during his term,
he was awarded Most Outstanding
Club President of his district for
achievements including doubling
membership to make the club the
largest in the district. The Rotary
Club of Pasig was also acclaimed
to be the Most Outstanding Club,
winning 37 district awards, as well as
receiving a Four Avenues of Service
Award from Rotary International for
the GK Village project, the largest
Rotary-assisted village in the country.
Soon after, Raffy received the Rotary
International Four Avenues of Service
Award and was elected District 3800
governor in 2011.
From then on he only became more
heavily involved in Rotary service;
his many official roles including:
Endowment and Major Gifts Adviser,
Zone 7a (2013-17); Philippine
country coordinator Rotary Global
A Rotarian for 47 years, Raffy Garcia had something of a slow
start as a Rotary leader. Spending his life forging an international
career in the technology sector, he only accepted election as
president of the Rotary Club of Pasig, Philippines, 12 years ago.
However, since then, he has thrown himself into Rotary service,
accruing an impressive number of Rotary achievements and
honours. Now RI director-elect of Zones 7 and 8, Raffy will be
spending a lot more time getting to know Rotarians Down Under.
MEET NEW RI DIRECTOR
“MR COMPUTER”